For a show that spent most of its time putting its characters in mortal danger, it’s remarkable that “Station 19” completed its series finale with nearly everyone alive and well — except, of course, for Kate (Kiele Sanchez), the newest addition to 19 who never did quite manage to become a part of the family. Kate got sucked up into a fire tornado — a firenado, perhaps — becoming the finale’s only casualty. Despite injuries and burns and smoke inhalation, everyone else lived on to firefight another day, with visions of their bright futures dancing ahead of them. After years of dealing with the harsh realities of firefighting, they all got their happy ending.
The episode, which was directed by showrunner Peter Paige, spent most of its time continuing to deal with the massive wildfire that was hurtling toward Seattle. Theo (Carlos Miranda) was injured by a falling tree, but quickly patched up by doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Maya (Danielle Savre) was saved from a huge wall of fire by her coworkers, which was great news for her newly pregnant wife Carina (Stefania Spampinato). Andy (Jaina Lee Ortiz) endangered herself by protecting her team on her own, landing herself in the hospital with burns but no major damage.
As they all faced the possibility that this fire could be their last, the members of Station 19 each envisioned the future they were fighting for. Maya saw a big family with Carina, featuring at least four kids and some classic mom haircuts, while Theo pictured a wife and son. Ben (Jason George) saw himself and Miranda (Chandra Wilson) sitting in auditoriums watching their kids — Tuck, Joey, and Prue — graduate with honors. Travis (Jay Hayden) imagined touring museums in D.C. with Vic and Dom (Johnny Sibilly) by his side, while Vic hoped for huge success for Crisis One with Dean (Okieriete Onaodowan, in a guest appearance) cheering her on from the afterlife. Sullivan (Boris Kodjoe) and Ross (Merle Dandridge) got married and played tennis with Beckett (Josh Randall) and Ross’ sister Jinny (Yunjin Kim).
Andy, as she lay unconscious in her hospital bed after having her burns debrided, watched the moment her relationship with Jack (Grey Damon) fell apart back in Season 1 — only for present day Jack to show up and take her in his arms. And sure, it was a dream, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t also real.
While the idea is that these visions are just hopes visualized in moments of great fear, Paige and co-showrunner Zoanne Clack aren’t saying they didn’t happen. They also won’t say they did happen, but viewers can take from that what they will.
Here’s what definitely did happen, in the end: Vic moved to D.C., and Travis surprised everyone by joining her. Ben, the forever job hopper, decided to go back to finish his surgical residency (hello, Season 21 of “Grey’s Anatomy”?). A few years later, Maya became captain of Station 19, where Prue was eventually a new probie — and Andy had been promoted to fire chief.